Online Computer Terms Dictionary - H

ha ha only serious

(SF fandom, originally as mutation of HHOK, "Ha Ha Only Kidding") A phrase
(often seen abbreviated as HHOS) that aptly captures the flavour of much hacker
discourse. Applied especially to parodies, absurdities, and ironic jokes that
are both intended and perceived to contain a possibly disquieting amount of
truth, or truths that are constructed on in-joke and self-parody.

The Jargon File contains many examples of ha-ha-only-serious in both form and
content. Indeed, the entirety of hacker culture is often perceived as
ha-ha-only-serious by hackers themselves; to take it either too lightly or too
seriously marks a person as an outsider, a wannabee, or in larval stage. For
further enlightenment on this subject, consult any Zen master. See also AI koan.